- present participle of deserve.
deserving
Americanadjective
-
qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.
the deserving poor;
a deserving applicant.
-
meriting; worthy.
a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deserving
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This is a true dilemma — and it’s one that couldn’t happen to a more deserving network.
From Salon ● Nov. 2, 2026
“In other words, I’ll determine whether or not the person is deserving, and I’ll determine, and I will be very generous.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
In other words, starting next year, instead of sending $1,700 to the IRS, you can direct it to a scholarship for a deserving child and invest in that child’s future.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Rangers were good, and clearly deserving of the win, but they didn't quite hit the levels of ruthlessness of a week ago at Ibrox.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
I hovered by the food, hoping to make myself useful and deserving.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
